Southport Magazine

What: ‘Steel Magnolias’
When: Oct. 17-19 and 24-26
Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Little Theatre
8068 River Rd., Southport
Cost: $17 for adults; $12 for students with ID (Not recommended for children under 12)
Info: www.brunswicklittletheatre.com

When I think of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ I think of the South at its finest, and the women in the movie remind me of the women I was blessed to grow up around. As a young girl, I remember sitting with my mother watching Shelby pick out her wedding colors of “blush and bashful,” and feeling as if this moment were a rite of passage for a young Southern girl. It is truly one of the most touching and remarkable movies of its kind, always harping on rich Southern values. The film has its own special way of making you laugh so hard that your sides hurt, while in the next minute, you reach for a Kleenex as you wipe armadillo cake off the side of your mouth.

The cast of ‘Steel Magnolias’, l. to r.: Truvy (Katherine Wooten), M’Lynn—seated (Cheryl Evans), Annelle (Beth Strickland), Clairee–seated (Debbie Skillman), Ouiser (Sherrill Jolly, and Shelby (Kate Cook). Courtesy photo

Brunswick Little Theatre is bringing the South to Southport with its rendition of “Steel Magnolias,” which will be performed in the theatre’s new building. Whether you have or haven’t seen the film, Brunswick Little Theatre is sure to please with their interpretation that will be full of humor, Southern hospitality and a heaping spoonful of gossip.

I was able to chat with Thom Clemmons, the director of the play, and ask him about his inspiration for wanting to perform “Steel Magnolias.” The theme, if you will, for his childhood was “strong,” and the heroines around him helped mold his life to be just that. “I had a strong mother, two amazing and strong grandmothers, and have two very strong sisters,” Clemmons said. “And yes, they were all Southern. Not to mention I have a great deal of respect for women in general.”

We discussed the play, the fondness we felt for it, and the emotions that it brought to surface. Clemmons spoke of the camaraderie and compassion possessed by the women in the play. “They always support each other, even when it is through loving jabs of humor,” Clemmons told.

“The themes of the show are universal,” Clemmons remarked. “Women throughout the world during periods of history have supported, encouraged, protected each other during trying circumstances. The inner strength of every woman in this play is a testament to the universal strength of women and what they can do when they work together.”

The cast has been rehearsing for four weeks, putting their blood, sweat and hair rollers into the makings of this performance. One of my first thoughts about the play was if it would be true to the movie—or would the audience see some surprise twists? Clemmons informed me that the play does vary from the movie in that there are no men in the play. “Men will not be on stage, but there will be much talk toward—them and not in positive terms,” Clemmons joked.

Set in the 1980s of eccentric wardrobes and the playful notion of “the bigger the hair the closer to God,” Clemmons’ cast will be dressed appropriately by character, age, and social class. The entire story will take place in Truvy’s beauty shop but the characters will remain the same. “Various actresses have interpreted each character somewhat differently, usually played out through nuances,” Clemmons noted.

The vivacious cast includes veterans of Brunswick Little Theatre Beth Strickland playing Annelle Dupuy, Debbie Skillman playing Clairee Belcher, and Sherrill Jolly playing Ouiser Boudreaux. New to the stage include Katherine Wooten playing Truvy Jones, Kate Cook playing Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, and Cheryl Evans playing M’Lynn Eatenton.

Whether you are just familiar with “Steel Magnolias” or a seasoned veteran like myself and have seen it over 15 times, you most likely have a favorite character. I always enjoy asking play directors if there is a character they favor or relate to, and for Clemmons it would be Clairee. “She is sharp, funny, biting at times, and very kind,” Clemmons said. “Even though she is financially well off, she has a grip on the real world and is very compassionate. She reminds me of my own mother without all of the wealth.”

Each character in this play is very endearing and incomparable in their own ways, and Clemmons hopes that everyone will walk away with the same fondness for all of them as he has.

Brunswick Little Theatre is now located in its own home at 8068 River Road SE. Courtesy photo

Perhaps the most exciting part of this show is that Brunswick Little Theatre finally has a space of its own. I spoke with Jeffrey Stites, president of Brunswick Little Theatre, about the new roof over their heads. “We have been talking about finding a home for the theatre ever since we lost the Centennial Center about 10 years ago, but this place sort of just fell into our laps,” Stites explained.

A few of the theatre members happened to notice one day that the building was vacant and the ball began to roll. “One of our board members called the Christian Alliance Church asking about it, and as it turned out, his wife had worked with the theatre in the past,” Stites said. “One thing led to another, and after some great work from our board and some generous understandings from the church, here we are!”

While the plan is for the locatoin to become Brunswick Little Theatre’s “forever home,” the organization only holds a one-year lease. They need current members to renew and new members to join. The theatre is looking for help through grants and the business community—they understand that they need to be seen truly using the facility at its full capacity and that without the support of the community, they won’t be staying.

The new home for the theatre is located at 8068 River Road SE (the former Southport Christian School Building). Visitors can go onto the theatre’s website to find their donation page. Moving into this new space has been exciting for all, but they have found to be in lack of certain necessities. There is a list of items and dollar amounts that folks can select from to donate.

Stites informed me the place had already been christened by the young actors of their Let’s PLAY! Children’s Theatre Workshop summer camp. “About 70 parents and friends were in attendance, and the show came off great,” Stites said.

Be prepared to laugh, cry and leave wanting more with this performance. Clemmons hopes the audience will take away one thing from this play: Strong women. “Without strong, intelligent, sympathetic, and loving women, our world would be a drab and desolate wasteland,” Clemmons said compassionately.

Tickets will be for sale at the door but the venue is small, so if possible, purchase tickets early online at www.brunswicklittletheatre.com.